New Saliva Test Can Detect Rabies on Live Animal

A new test for rabies can help save a dog's life. Until now, the way to test for rabies in an animal who is suspected of having the disease was to kill him and wait up to two weeks for the results of testing on brain tissue samples. But now a saliva test can be performed on a live animal.

Dyne Immune, LLC announced their new, portable Rabies RAPID™ (Rapid Antibody Portable Immunodetection) Screen, which can detect the presence of rabies in an animal saliva sample within 30 minutes, providing vital information much sooner than traditional testing methods. The screen allows veterinarians, animal control officers and other professionals to check for rabies in animals that are still alive, eliminating the long wait (10 to 14 days) and hefty price tag associated with typical post-mortem rabies testing.

“This test can reduce the number of animals destroyed and save doctors and animal control organizations from the costs associated with traditional testing,” said Dyne Immune CEO, Dr. V. James DeFranco, MD. “Most importantly, though, it enables them to screen for rabies and get an answer quickly — and that’s essential when it comes to preventing the infection from spreading.”

This is going to save a lot of animal lives, and prevent the unnecessary treatment of potentially exposed humans while waiting for test results. You can read the press release here.